Retirement Party

Because of how wonderfully touching the tributes were that I recieved at my retirement party yesterday, I was reminded how deeply wounded I still am. Part of me still has trouble believing anyone thinks that well of me. I was also reminded how far I have come, thanks to grace, in being able to love other people as they are. It was particularly touching to me that they went to the trouble to hire a live Celtic band to play at the party, and that they saw fit to give me the financial gift normally reserved for those who have worked for 30 years at the firm (I have only been here 23 years). My home church will beenfit greatly!

I go forth from my workaday life to retirement with fond memories and great challenges ahead. May God richly bless those in my firm who have been such a big part of my life.

Outa here!

My retirement precludes my further use of this access to my blog. So until I figure out how to acess it from home, I am not going to post further. In addition, my network administrator has decided this is a blocked domain! LOL! Lucky for me I knew a way around that for this post.
More later, from another address.

What is my spiritual condition?

When I was about 15 years old President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Not long after that, Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the killing. Then, on live TV, Jack Ruby killed Lee Harvey Oswald. Now, I loved Jack Kennedy with all my heart. And at the moment Ruby killed Oswald, I felt a fierce, wild gladness! The moment after that, I realized my own darkness - my own sinfulness.
I experienced that sinfulness last night again. A young gangster has been after my grandson for two years. Last night, that boy was murdered. For a moment, I was so glad! And then I began to weep. That young man never had anything but a brutal, savage and very short life. I am still gratefl that my grandson is now safe. But I am so sad that anyone has to live such a horrible life as that young man. Pray for David Wilson, now, I hope, at peace.

It also made me realize at a very deep level that my salvation is moment to moment, contingent up on my spiritual condition. Shelter me oh God! Hide me in the shadow of your wings. You alone are my hope!